Each play therapy session will usually last’s approx 50 minutes. Sessions are usually held weekly. The number of sessions a child will need may vary and this is best discussed on an individual basis: most children require somewhere between 18 – 24 sessions of play therapy.

 

Play therapy is non-invasive and provides a way for children to express their experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided, self-healing process. Play therapy is widely recognised as an effective therapy that works at a child’s own pace and helps to improve children’s mental health and well-being.

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Play provides opportunities for children to learn about their world and experiences through self-discovery and exploration of the toys and art materials provided each week. These materials are critical in providing a safe distance for the child to play out and work through more difficult life experiences and at a pace that feels comfortable for them. This distance created through roles, narratives and stories in the playroom allows the child to come closer to these experiences and remain in control of their world.

 

Having someone witness this play can build a sense of self-worth. They learn to trust their instincts and can try out different scenarios, in the playroom, safely without judgement.

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Play Therapy is a specialised form of Humanistic counselling designed for children, where the toys act as the child’s words and the child does not feel threatened or interrogated.  In Play Therapy, children receive emotional support from their Play Therapist to better understand their thoughts and feelings.  Sometimes children may re-enact or play out past difficult life experiences in order to try and make sense of them: this enables them to develop a sense of control and can be very empowering.

 

In therapy, the toys become their words and play is their language, as it offers the child a way to communicate something about the way they are feeling, and in the best comfortable way they know how, through play. Often children may find it extremely difficult to put their feelings into words which limit’s the way in which they can express themselves with more traditional therapies.

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The outcome of Play Therapy might be general (e.g. your child may appear happier and demonstrate raised self-esteem) or more specific (e.g. more positive behaviour or improvements in relationships).The positive changes that you would like to see for your child would be discussed fully at the start of any Play Therapy intervention. Your child’s therapeutic progress would also be reviewed regularly with the play therapist practitioner.